From the armed services
• Coast Guard Seaman Apprentice James C. Allen, a 2005 graduate of James B. Conant High School, Hoffman Estates, graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, N.J.
During the eight-week training program, Allen completed a vigorous training curriculum consisting of academics and practical instruction on water safety and survival, military customs and courtesies, seamanship skills, first aid, fire fighting and marksmanship.
A major emphasis is also placed on physical fitness, health and wellness. Allen and other recruits also received instruction on the Coast Guard's core values and how to apply them in their military performance and personal conduct.
• Army Pvt. James S. Chung graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experiencing use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.
Chung is the son of Young Chung of Hoffman Estates.
• Navy Seaman Recruit Doug K. Merklin, son of Patricia D. and Russell K. Merklin of Bartlett, completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes.
During the eight-week program, Merklin completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness. Merklin is a 2006 graduate of Bartlett High School of Bartlett.
• Air Force Airman Pratul B. Patel graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, core values, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations. In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate in applied science degree relating through the Community College of the Air Force. He is the son of Bharat Patel of Streamwood. The airman is a 2007 graduate of Streamwood High School.
• Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Daniel S. Peet is completing training to deploy to Afghanistan with the Illinois Army National Guard's 33rd Infantry Brigade Team in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The brigade will be the backbone of Task Force Phoenix VIII and its mission of training and mentoring the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police. Thirty units in the brigade will mobilize for up to a year, with most of the time spent in Afghanistan.
Peet, a squad leader with 11 years of military service, is normally assigned to the 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Division, Elgin. He is the son of Lawrence B. Peet of Joliet and Kathleen I. Mallow of Palatine. The staff sergeant graduated in 1991 from Palatine High School, and received a bachelor's degree in 2007 from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.
• Army 2nd Lt. Jennifer H. Statkowski graduated from the Army Medical Officer Basic Leadership Course at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas.
The course is designed to train Medical Corps officers to be competent in and knowledgeable of the Army Care System, Army doctrine, and basic officer-soldier leadership skills; have an understanding of Army organizations, operations, and procedures; possess an ability to apply the concepts of health protection for soldiers and their families; have the ability to communicate, interact and coordinate as a staff member; and orientation in military survival skills for the contemporary operating environment.
After graduating from the course, the active-duty, National Guard or Reserve medical officers report to their current member units or new duty assignments, or return to their graduate medical studies.
She is the daughter of Ronald T. and Cynthia Statkowski of Hanover Park. Statkowski graduated in 1999 from Lake Park High School, Roselle, and received a bachelor's degree in 2006 from Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago.